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<\/a>1. Get fit and lose weight\n<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n
Dogs require a lot of attention, playtime, and walks, meaning that responsible dog owners get plenty of exercise. If you walk your dog once in the morning, once midday, and once before bed, with added trips to the park or the beach on weekends, you should notice your fitness level rising and your extra weight dropping. The longer and more vigorous the activity, the more you\u2019ll notice positive changes in the health of you and your dog!<\/p>\n
2. Keep depression at bay<\/strong><\/p>\n Aside from the fitness benefits, owning a dog has been shown to stave off depression<\/a> and decrease the effects of bad mood swings. For many people, sharing their life with a dog gives them a reason to get them out of bed in the mornings and can be an overwhelmingly positive force in their fight against mental illness.<\/p>\n 3. Decrease stress and anxiety <\/strong><\/p>\n The same goes for stress and anxiety. Personally, as someone who experiences general anxiety and panic attacks, petting\u00a0and snuggling with my dog is a surefire way to fend off fear and stress. The calming effects of petting a dog is something I feel right away: as soon as my collie, Diego, walks into the room, my heartrate slows and my blood pressure drops. Even without proper 4. Prevent the development of allergies in children<\/strong><\/p>\n When it comes to preventing allergies in children, one of the best things you can do is expose them to a dirty dog.<\/a> By introducing allergens and dirt into a child\u2019s environment by allowing them to pet and snuggle with a dog, you can help your kids or grandkids build up better, stronger immune systems that recognize the difference between natural dirt and actual threats to a child\u2019s health.<\/p>\n
\ntraining as a therapy dog, Diego is the perfect antidote to my
\nanxiety.<\/p>\n